Local Action Plan to Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases

Sustainability steps of the City/County Inspections Division

Existing Reduction Measures in Winston-Salem Government Operations

• Erosion Control Program: Review and approve grading plans and conduct in-field inspections and site evaluations of earthwork and other land-disturbing activities to prevent water pollution and other damage to lakes, watercourses, and other public and private property by sedimentation.
• Watershed Protection Program: Review and approve watershed development permits within identified water-supply watershed areas to protect drinking water quality.
• Use of Existing Automation: Utilize Hansen and InspectNet to communicate issues and results to applicants and permit holders concerning permit applications and active building permits and sites. This has reduced paper use and postage due to better real-time communication via electronic means.
• North Carolina Energy Code: Review, approval and inspection of building construction in compliance with the North Carolina Energy Code, which regulates the design and construction of buildings for adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage to increase energy efficiency.
• Interconnectivity Requirements of the UDO: Minimum connectivity requirements and requirements for new subdivisions to connect to existing stub streets provide a more efficient network of streets, reducing VMTs and reducing fuel usage.

Future Reduction Measures for Winston-Salem Government Operations

• Fee rebates, up to 50%, for projects that receive various levels of LEED certification and Energy Star achievement.
• UDO changes to allow alternative energy equipment (solar panels, windmills) to vary from existing dimensional requirements.
• Education programs on LEED Certification and Energy Star programs as part of Development-Related education series.
• Alternative work schedules, e.g. modified 4-day work weeks to reduce employee VMTs.
• Real-time mobile solution for field inspectors, reducing office trips, reducing VMTs (personal and work vehicles), thus creating fuel savings.
• Route optimization module for Hansen to plan inspection schedule, reducing VMTs, reducing idling emissions and increasing efficiency.
• Electronic plan submissions for all development-related reviews, saving paper and toner and reducing long-term storage needs.
• Enhanced recycling stations for newspapers, office paper, cans, plastic, cardboard

Read the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Local Action Plan to Reduce Emissions Report July 2008 [pdf/1mb/43p] 

Sustainability pages